HISD names new Wheatley High principal

Houston ISD officials have named the principal of a small high school in Marlin as the new leader of Wheatley High School.

David Edgerson, who has taught in Galena Park and Dallas, will take the helm of Wheatley on March 21, HISD officials announced today.

Marlin High School — one of three campuses in Marlin ISD about 30 miles southeast of Waco — had 295 students last school year; the vast majority are black and Hispanic and come from low-income families. Wheatley has a similar demographic make-up but is much larger, with more than 1,000 students.

“David comes to Wheatley with an extensive background in school administration,” Aaron Spence, HISD’s chief officer of high schools, said in a news release. “He is well respected for his ability to work with students in a compassionate but firm way and he holds teachers accountable for excellence in the classroom while lifting them up as role models for the students.”

Edgerson will replace Wiley Johnson, who submitted his resignation earlier this school year amid a leadership shake-up at the school. HISD Superintendent Terry Grier’s administration had removed one of the assistant principals but reinstated her after community outcry.

Edgerson, a graduate of Prairie View A&M University, began his education career in 1989, and is pursuing a doctoral degree at his alma mater, according to HISD.